Trading Stock… A Game Changer In Mara

5 Jul, 2016 | filed under .

At Kenya Markets Trust, we catalyze business linkages to improve live animal trade for reliable supply of quality livestock to the end markets. We also facilitate the adoption of sustainable rangeland management practices and land governance. As such, we are continually forming partnerships with players in the Livestock sector with a view to improve the livelihoods of pastoralists in the country.

We recently initiated discussions with Mara Beef Ranch and Slaughterhouse to help the business in sustainable ranchland management, finishing/fattening and improved livestock processing practices.

Focus group discussion with community based ranchers who have begun the trading stock program

The Mara Beef Company rears, slaughters and processes cattle on their Naretoi Farm and within the Enonkishu Conservancy on the edge of the Maasai Mara. The company supplies beef to wholesalers and consumers in Nairobi and Western Kenya. They specialize in Boran, Aberdeen Angus and Zebu breeds.

Mara Beef works together with the Enonkishu Conservancy in a wildlife-livestock integrated approach. They engage with the local community to establish sustainable livestock production, reduce overgrazing and overstocking, conserve and restore biodiversity.

Pistolas in the cold room at Mara beef ranch’s slaughter house

In May 2016, Mara Beef slaughterhouse slaughtered 280 animals with a target of 350 in June. The slaughterhouse has the capacity to slaughter 50 cattle a day (1500/month). However, they are unable to attain this due to lack of reliable supply of livestock besides end market challenges for the meat.

Rehabilitation of the grazing lands using livestock. The head of Mara ranch explains the concept to the team

Within Mara Beef Ranch, an innovative project on setting aside select livestock from the community as trading stock is being piloted. The select trading stock is finished/fattened on the ranch so that they can be best suited for the market. Mara Beef slaughterhouse has the highest priority to purchase these fattened livestock before any other party.

Livestock in an innovative predator proof movable bomas in the ranch

KMT is looking to partner with Mara Beef to help them actualize this new concept , which could be a game changer in commercial livestock production for pastoral communities. The partnership will enhance Sustainable Rangeland Management practices in the ranch in a way that benefits the communities living around the ranch. This partnership will look into fostering better business relations between Mara Beef and the neighboring communities and ranches to guarantee consistent quality supply of livestock. Our partnership will look to streamline the company’s processes to meet the high demand of meat from its customers.

Wildlife on the Mara Beef Ranch. The ranch is using the conservancy model of wildlife and livestock co-existing